FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — Drought conditions are continuing to push down water levels at Smith Mountain Lake, creating hazards for boaters and affecting recreational activities for visitors.

The lake’s water level is down nearly five feet, leaving some markers and shoreline areas high and dry.

Lower water levels are also affecting operations at the Smith Mountain Project, which generates power by moving water from Smith Mountain Lake through turbines at the Smith Mountain Dam and into Leesville Lake.

“Any hydrogeneration facility does operate off of what’s called head, which is the difference between the upstream side of a dam and the downstream, so obviously it would be in Appalachian Power Company’s best interest if the lake was at full pond,” Joshua Blake, Maintenance Superintendent of Appalchain Power’s hydrogeneration, said when explaining the situation.

Blake says even in drought conditions, they are still required to release water downstream to Leesville Lake.

SEE ALSO: Downstream of Claytor, Leesville dams could see rapid water level changes starting Monday

Appalachian Power uses trigger points to guide how it manages water during the drought. The first trigger point was activated on April 27, and the second on May 11.

“When we hit these trigger points, we have reduced the flows going downstream to the Roanoke River to help protect the water here at Smith Mountain,” said Izzy Post Ruhland, an Appalachian Power spokesperson. “We have to hold this amount to help us produce power in emergencies when we have hot weather and other things of that nature.”

The company said it is unsure whether it will reach a third trigger point. If it does, Appalachian Power said it would have conversations and partner with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, as well as the Department of Wildlife Resources, to navigate how much water must be released downstream.

Despite the reduced generation capability at the dam, Appalachian Power said customers should not see any impact to power service and that it won’t affect power bills. That’s because of Appalachian Power’s ability to pull from the other sources of energy like wind, solar, coal and gas.

They also urged boaters to use caution as the lake level drops.

“There’s gonna be a lot of shoals that are out of the water right now that you don’t normally see when you’re out boating, there’s gonna be some that are still under the water but only slightly now.” Dwain Beaver, an Energy Production superintendent, said.

As drought conditions continue, Appalachian Power said it is dependent on rainfall to replenish the lake.

“Our fuel supply is what Mother Nature gives us; we can’t order more coal, we can’t order more gas like in other places, we can’t order more rain,” Post Ruhland said.